1
as in inspires
to fill with courage or strength of purpose
a pep talk that encouraged the team to get out there and win
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in promotes
to help the growth or development of
asserted that the government should be encouraging small businesses, not smothering them with regulations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in provokes
to rouse to strong feeling or action
the movie's cheap special effects will not encourage audiences to sit on the edge of their seats but to roll in the aisles with laughter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in urges
to try to persuade (someone) through earnest appeals to follow a course of action
the pastor continues to encourage the couple to work out their problems in hopes of saving their marriage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of encourages
My hope is that Reunion encourages commissioners and production companies to create space for other deaf people to come forward and tell their stories.
—
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
The presence of citizen participation in legal decision-making encourages civic engagement, fosters public trust and reanimates the participatory ideals on which the American republic was founded.
—Richard Lorren Jolly, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2025
The film is likely to spark heated debate among viewers, and that’s something Sweeney encourages.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
For those who want to honor Browser’s memory with a donation, the library encourages giving to its partner organization, Don’t Forget To Feed Me.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025
Regular harvesting encourages cilantro to continue growing throughout the fall.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 5 Sep. 2025
Redway encourages clients to go for styles like closure or flip-over weaves with little to no leave-out.
—Larry Stansbury, Essence, 4 Sep. 2025
Critchfield even downplayed concerns that AI use in schools encourages cheating.
—Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2025
Tuesday, August 26 celebrates the ownership of dogs of any breed and encourages adoption.
—Trisha Easto, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
The presence of citizen participation in legal decision-making encourages civic engagement, fosters public trust and reanimates the participatory ideals on which the American republic was founded.
—Richard Lorren Jolly, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2025
The film is likely to spark heated debate among viewers, and that’s something Sweeney encourages.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
For those who want to honor Browser’s memory with a donation, the library encourages giving to its partner organization, Don’t Forget To Feed Me.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025
Regular harvesting encourages cilantro to continue growing throughout the fall.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 5 Sep. 2025
Redway encourages clients to go for styles like closure or flip-over weaves with little to no leave-out.
—Larry Stansbury, Essence, 4 Sep. 2025
Critchfield even downplayed concerns that AI use in schools encourages cheating.
—Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2025
Tuesday, August 26 celebrates the ownership of dogs of any breed and encourages adoption.
—Trisha Easto, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encourages
Verb
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That insight has guided the team at Typhur, headquartered in San Jose at the heart of Silicon Valley, a location that inspires them to engineer precision with intuitive design.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
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SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Allison Parshall,
Scientific American,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Digestive Support Turmeric helps stimulate bile production in the gallbladder, which promotes fat digestion.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Verywell Health,
8 Sep. 2025
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According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), an independent, nonprofit organization that promotes press freedom worldwide, at least 197 journalists and media workers were killed during the war; 189 of them were Palestinians killed by Israel in Gaza.—
Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Criticism triggers defensiveness; defensiveness fuels contempt; contempt provokes stonewalling.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
After a sleepy start to the second half at Old Trafford, the arrival of Benjamin Sesko, and the relocation of Cunha into a deeper position, provokes a fresh wave of interest.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Ultimately, Adair urges parents to discourage kids from chasing food trends.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
9 Sep. 2025
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The report also urges Canadian media to go beyond Black History Month to showcase homegrown Black talent and stories year-round, and to set goals on hiring and promoting black talent in organizations.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Through the inevitable challenges of constant change, the bonds an entrepreneur cultivates in the present can prompt their greatest accomplishments in the near future.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
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Although the general manager of an MLB franchise constructs team rosters, executes player transactions, and makes critical personnel decisions, the field manager engages directly with players, fosters relationships, and cultivates team culture in the clubhouse.—
Mark LaSota,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The chemical targets a different system in the brain than standard antidepressants, triggering the release of glutamate, which stimulates the growth of new synapses between brain cells.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
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Vähäsarja vigorously rubbed some cups on Landers’s back—cupping creates a vacuum and stimulates blood flow—and turned the whole thing bright pink.—
Sarah Larson,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Loneliness is the healthy emotion that nudges us to get off the couch and go be with people.—
Dev Patnaik,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Starbucks, for example, nudges users toward loading funds onto a digital gift card by offering more rewards.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The presence of citizen participation in legal decision-making encourages civic engagement, fosters public trust and reanimates the participatory ideals on which the American republic was founded.—
Richard Lorren Jolly,
The Conversation,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Advertisement Of course, anthropogenic factors, while significant, amount to relatively little compared to the natural interplay of wind, water, and temperature that fosters storms.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Encourages.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encourages. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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